The crabapple (or “winter banana,” as apples were called in colonial times) is the only apple native to North America. Apples are members of the rose family, and most apples are still hand-picked. It takes about two pounds of those hand-picked apples to make one nine-inch apple pie.

For an easy way to make your house smell deliciously fall-like, try making homemade applesauce. We just use apples, sugar, and water in our applesauce. It can sit on the stove for a couple of hours, or in a crock-pot all day (and it’s delicious warm!).

Since we will no longer be posting new articles on Pierce My Heart after this month (see details here), we would like to direct you to a few websites we think you may enjoy.

Cling to Good is a devotional-type blog written and maintained by our very own Hannah Smith! Hannah is a very talented and thought provoking writer, so be sure to check out her site.

The Homespun Heart is written by a mother of three young children, who focuses on crafts, homeschooling, simplicity, and serving the Lord.

The Money Saving Mom is written by a frugal zealot who posts often about all areas of frugal living, including freebies, couponing, cooking at home, great deals, and budgeting.

Tammy’s Recipes is dedicated to recipes and kitchen tips. She only posts tried and true recipes, so it’s easy to trust her recipes.

Recipezaar allows the browser to search for a recipe and choose from several options. Recipes are rated on a 5-star scale, so look for the high ratings, and you’re sure to find something that works!

Plugged In Online reviews mainstream media from a Christian perspective, allowing the potential viewers to make informed decisions before watching or listening to the contemplated media.

Apologetics Press focuses on Christian Evidences, and is great for personal reference or teaching purposes.

Bible Gateway is a great resource – it has several Bible versions, and will show every verse that contains whichever keyword you enter.

Focus on the Family is a great site to read articles about topics from a Christian viewpoint. You can also listen to podcasts of radio talks and sermons—great to do while dishwashing or cooking dinner!

Please don’t forget to check out our monthly issues to read more about several topics you may be interested in.

As always, please remember that the views of the writers on other websites are not necessarily in agreement with the views of Pierce My Heart. Please read all articles and websites with discretion, and always use the Bible as your guide for standards and beliefs.

We hope that all will be discerning with the time we spend online, and use our minutes wisely, being careful to not allow the Internet, or anything else, to slowly steal our hours away. Instead, let’s strive to look first to God for fulfillment, so that we may quietly and joyfully serve our families in the real world, instead of just reading about it in a virtual world.

I have always been a fairly simple person when it comes to jewelry. I’ve recently had more fun with accessorizing in this department (maybe because I have three boys and don’t get to accessorize much with them!). But I still can’t get away from my preference for a simple pair of earrings and a necklace. And after years of jumping back and forth among necklaces, I have found the perfect one for a casual mom!

Suzanne Myers is an artist in Nashville, Tennessee, who creates jewelry. Her designs are simple and beautiful. And after seeing her necklace on one of my friends, I knew that I had found one that would last me years. Her name charm necklace is a casual, modern take on the classic “charm bracelet.” However, unlike most “kids on my necklace” necklaces, this one is very simple and subtle.

Suzanne lets you choose between two styles of chains, and several different charm designs, each charm with your child’s name on it. The cable chain (which I have) is more casual, while the bar-link chain has a very slightly more delicate appearance. Each necklace also comes with two stones, which you also get to select. And don’t worry if you have to add another name later. Just send your necklace back to her (after emailing her to let her know it’s on its way), and she’ll add whatever charm you want for only $10.

I am all about getting good deals, and I have to admit, this necklace is more than I would usually spend on a necklace, or any piece of jewelry. However, I wear this necklace almost every day, and I think this is something to consider. I’ve easily spent the amount of this necklace on many other pieces of jewelry combined that are now resting quietly (and dustily) at the bottom of my jewelry box. I consider this necklace to be well worth what I paid. It is one-of-a-kind, created by a local artist, and is very well made.

With Christmas quickly approaching, now might be a great time to check out her site (and just happen to leave it up for your husband!). If you are like me and you prefer the casual, simple approach to accessorizing, consider one of Suzanne’s necklaces—I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Special offer to Pierce My Heart readers!

Suzanne has offered to give a $10 off, with free shipping, discount to anyone who orders a name necklace (great Christmas gift!) by November 30 and mentions that they read this review on Pierce My Heart.

Proverbs 27:19: “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”

We Christians are to be “in the world but not of the world.” People say it’s okay to be stylish, and personally, I really like to be in fashion. But if we dress in the latest styles (including the showy jewelry), even if modest, we look like the rest of the world. Aren’t we supposed to be set apart? We don’t want to be of the world… and doesn’t that include looking like the world? Where do we draw the line then?
– Anonymous

Great question!

I believe the two verses you are referencing are Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” And, 1 Timothy 2:9: “in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing.”

I agree that if we are saved, and the Spirit of God lives in us, we should not have the “appearance” of unbelievers. Matthew 7:16 tells us that Christians are recognized by their fruit. I believe our fruits are the primary way we either look like the world or not (Galatians 5:22-23). Yes, it is important that we are following God’s word regarding our outward appearance and dress (1 Tim. 2:9). However, sin is as deep as our hearts (Prov. 20:9), and our heart is the most important place where we as believers should not reflect the world, but our Father’s glory (2 Cor. 3:18).

I believe that there are often bigger, heart issues when someone dresses immodestly or showy. It is not just a matter of what they are wearing, but what they are trying to communicate. Are they prideful of the money or body they have? Do they want attention from others—men or women? Do they have the attitude that God’s word is outdated and inapplicable? Then, yes, they are reflecting the world’s values with their appearance.

However, we need to remember that even some of the most modestly dressed women have deep sin in their hearts, and pride that they are doing it “right.” They tend to feel judgment toward others who are not dressing “appropriately” by their standards, when they should instead be lovingly teaching others through word and example.

Even when dressed modestly, we may still reflect the world with our attitudes. We look like the world when we complain about our chores or the price of groceries. We reflect the world’s attitudes when we justify staying angry with our families or traffic or the waitress (Ephesians 4:26). We need to prayerfully resist these sinful attitudes and instead make sure we’re continually striving to reflect God’s love by always having the fruits of the spirit at heart (Galatians 5:22-23).

2 Corinthians 3:18: And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Leaves have just as much yellow pigment in July when they are green as they do in October when they are yellow. In July the darker green pigment just masks the yellow color, making the leaves appear greener.

Craft idea: take a nature hike with your kids and gather a few different shaped leaves, then use paper and crayons to make leaf rubbings using these instructions. You can even find 8×10 frames from the dollar store to frame the finished product! (We have three that sit on our mantle every fall.)

If you’d like to have our theme image on your desktop this month, simply click on “standard” or “wide-screen” underneath the photo, then right click on the image and select “set as background.” Note: laptops are generally wide-screen, and desktops are usually standard images.

Pierce my heart to spread Your Word, 1 Thessalonians 2:4 “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4 “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.”

The above verse is very convicting to us (Lisa and Davonne), as we are often tempted to seek to please people, and we tend to worry about what others may think of our decisions. We have learned that in order to fully glorify God, we must instead care about what Christ thinks of our decisions, since we want to live our lives to honor Him.

As previously mentioned, we have recently decided to change the magazine format to encourage stay-at-home Christian mothers. (Go here to read our thoughts about that.) Since then, however, we have continued to feel unsettled about our decision, and have continued to seek God’s will in our lives. We feel convicted because we spend so much time working on Pierce My Heart and trying to reach women across the country that we often miss opportunities and lack the time to serve and teach people in our own communities.

After much prayer, discussion, and thoughtful consideration, we have decided to cease our ministry with Pierce My Heart, at least for this season of our lives. While we will miss writing and working with the other women involved, we feel a quiet rest in our hearts regarding our decision, and we know that we are making the right choice, with the Lord’s blessing.

We will continue to seek His will in our lives, and while we are setting this magazine aside for now, we may not put it aside forever. If He ever leads us to pick back up with Pierce My Heart, we will do so with joyful and willing hearts. We will leave the magazine online so the articles may be read anytime, and used as reference to continue teaching others about His word.

Some October articles have already been written, and will appear throughout the month, so please continue to check back for those. This will be our last month with new articles, and as we close this chapter in our lives, we are reminded of many wonderful things that have happened because of Pierce My Heart. We are truly thankful for the time we’ve had working in this ministry, and for the many people who have volunteered their time in helping to share His word with others. While it’s important to go to the Bible before any other source to develop our relationship with God, we hope many of you have also been uplifted, encouraged, and convicted as you’ve read the articles in this magazine and worked on your own personal walks with Christ.

We want to live life fully, joyfully serving God and our families, and we desire for other women to do the same. We hope that you will take every opportunity to joyfully love and serve others, seeking His will above all else in everything you do, and spreading His word to as many people as possible (Mark 16:15-16).

And, when any part of our lives comes to a close, let’s all remember that, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning…” (Ecclesiastes 7:8a).